Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and Virginia head coach Tony Elliott have been close for 20-plus years. Elliott played for Swinney when he was the receivers coach at Clemson back in 2003, before joining Swinney’s staff a few years later.

Dabo Swinney helped Tony Elliott become Virginia's head coach. But the Clemson head man will show Elliott and the Cavaliers no mercy Saturday in Death Valley.

Tony Elliott was a walk-on graduate receiver in 2003 who finally thought he’d have a chance for more playing time at Clemson when his position coach left and in walked a young, energetic assistant in Dabo Swinney who himself had returned to college football after selling commercial real estate.